Look up, Northern Lights possible early Tuesday morning

ALTOONA, PA. (WTAJ) — The Northern Lights could possibly be making a return to Central Pennsylvania.

According to NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC), a powerful geomagnetic storm is expected to impact Earth Monday and Tuesday evening, leaving the potential for the Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, to be visible for Pennsylvania.

A G2/G3 storm is not as potent as what we have had in other instances this year, but could still produce some color visible to The Commonwealth.

According to the SWPC Explainer, this incoming storm will produce limited to minor effects to some technological infrastructure.

Some of the weather variables we are keeping an eye on for optimal viewing would, of course, clear skies.

FUTURETRACK keeps the skies clear Monday evening into Tuesday morning. Patchy fog would be a limiting factor, but not as widespread as other mornings.

The best viewing will be Monday night into the morning hours of Tuesday while looking due north. 

If you cannot see it with your eyes, hold your phone’s camera up and watch through the camera lens or take photos using “night mode.”

The bending of light as it interacts with Earth’s atmosphere will allow different colors to be seen on the visible light spectrum.

With solar activity expected to reach a peak in 2025, don’t worry if you happen to miss the Northern Lights. More opportunities are likely the rest of the year.